| November 2006 On November
14, 2006, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) released its Draft
4(f) Evaluation for public review and comment. Comments must be submitted
in writing on or before January 5, 2007 to Wendall L. Meyer, Assistant
Division Administrator, FHWA, Kansas Division Office, 6111 SW 29th Street,
Topeka, KS 66614. (The comment period was extended to January
19, 2007. See information above.)
Section 4(f) of the U.S. Department
of Transportation Act of 1966 (as amended) applies
specifically to projects involving federal funding
for transportation improvements. It is intended
to protect publicly-owned land of a publicly-owned
park; recreation area; wildlife and/or waterfowl
refuge of national, state, or local significance;
or land of a historic site of national, state, or
local significance from conversion to transportation
use unless two provisions are met:
- There is no feasible and prudent alternative
to the use of the land from the property; and
- The action includes all possible planning to
minimize harm to the property resulting from such
use.
Please visit the following links
for more information or to view the Draft 4(f) Evaluation:
News Release: Comment Period Extended for Draft Section 4(f) Evaluation
News Release: South Lawrence Trafficway Open House
Handout from December 14, 2006 Open House
Displays from December 14, 2006 Open House
News
Release: FHWA Releases South Lawrence Trafficway
Draft Document
Transmittal
Letter
Cover,
Signature Page, Table of Contents
Section A: Introduction
Section
B: Section 4(f) Properties
Section C: Alternatives
Section
D: 32nd St. Alignment B Alternative, Impacts on Section
4f Properties and Environment
Section
E: Avoidance Alternatives
Section
F: Measures to Minimize Harm
Section G: Coordination
Appendix
A: Baker University Wetlands History Since 1968
Appendix B: Feasible
Alternatives
Appendix C: Section 106
Memorandum of Agreement
Appendix D: U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers Section 404 Permit
Appendix E: Keeper of
the National Register Response
Appendix F: Determination
of Eligibility for NRHP, HINU, and Baker Wetlands
April 2006
In November 2005, the Kansas Department of Transportation
received a $1.5 million federal appropriation
to resume development of the South Lawrence Trafficway.
The funds will not be sufficient to start construction
of the project, which was estimated to cost more
than $110 million and growing. No funding was
included for the project in the ten-year Comprehensive
Transportation Program which ends in 2009, so
no construction is scheduled. The Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA) became involved as a result
of the federal appropriation.
FHWA Intent to Adopt the
Approved Final Environmental Impact Statement
In early April 2006, the FHWA issued a Notice of
Intent to adopt the Final Environmental Impact Statement
(FEIS) prepared and approved by the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers (USACE). The FEIS was prepared by the
USACE as part of a Section 404 application.
The FHWA will also prepare and coordinate the distribution
of a Draft and Final Section 4(f) Evaluation for
the project. These documents will evaluate the reasonable
alternatives to determine if they are feasible and
prudent as they relate to Section 4(f).
After the comment period and the Section 4(f) evaluation,
the FHWA will release its own Record of Decision
(ROD). The FHWA expects to issue its ROD in Spring
2007.
FHWA Schedule
for Section 4(f) evaluation and Record of Decision
FHWA Notice of Intent
to Adopt FEIS
Comment Period Announced
for Intent to Adopt the FEIS
South Lawrence Trafficway
Study Completed
The South Lawrence Trafficway study has been completed.
There were no funds identified in the 10-year Comprehensive
Transportation Program of 1999 build the trafficway.
So, no construction is scheduled. Having an approved
location and design concept, however, will enable
us to move forward when and if funds become available
in the future. This site presents information presented
to the public during the study.
32nd Street
Alignment B is the selected alignment for a
future South Lawrence Trafficway (SLT).
Please click the links below to view the Section
404 permit and the Record of Decision.
Section 404 Permit and the
Record of Decision
In December, 2003, the Kansas City District of the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued the Section
404 permit requested by the Kansas Department
of Transportation for the SLT project. The Section
404 permit was the last federal permit required in
order for construction to begin on this project.
Concurrently, the Corps issued
its Record
of Decision (ROD) based on the Final Environmental
Impact Statement. Inquiries regarding the Section
404 permit, the ROD, the Final Environmental Impact
Statement, or other environmental documents should
be directed to Colonel Michael Ross, District
Engineer, 700 Federal Office Building, 601 E. 12th Street,
Kansas City, MO 64106
Final Environmental Impact
Statement
The South Lawrence Trafficway Final EIS was released
by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on January 6,
2003
The Final EIS is available in CD-ROM
format. To order a copy, please send your name and
complete mailing address to:
Kansas Department of Transportation
Bureau of Design, 11th Fl.
700 SW Harrison
Topeka, KS. 66603
or call 785-296-3901
Draft EIS Summary
The official summary of the Draft EIS can be viewed
by clicking on the link below.
DEIS
Summary (152k) |
